Green ribbon or not

[comicduo]

I'm sure this question gets asked a great deal but I was wondering if people really felt that any horse that hasn't hunted should have a green ribbon on the tail at their first meet?
I hunted when I was a teenager on my very wise and very worldly Arab/Welsh who could be used as a nanny under all conditions. On Saturday I am taking my new mare to a meet with the Percy, she is 6 rising 7 very good in all ways but (unless she hunted as a 4 year old in Ireland before she was imported) this will be her first hunt. Since I haven't hunted for about 6-7 years and the person who took me around when I hunted then was very tradtional and with a diffrent hunt, I don't want to embrass myself too much.

Advice please, if anyone is a regular with the Percy I would love to know what the form is regarding correct turnout for a "first" meet.

 

[Jemayni]

I always believe if your asking that question - the answer is yes!

 

[bellgave]

I always think yes, wear a green ribbon. It gives people the option to steer clear of you and if she is being naughty gives an explanation!!! I have been hunting one of my young horses and he is a saint at home, but still got worked up at his first meet, not naughty but very excited!!! Blah blah blah, sorry rabbiting on. I say yes wear a ribbon!!!

 

[Weezy]

Deffo green ribbon

 

[muffinino]

I've just started hunting my 5yo and have been out on 1 ride, 1 days cubbing and one hunt and have put a ribbon in his tail each time as each time he's been introduced to something different. I bought some light green ribbon from the market, plaited his tail up polo style, then just tied the length to the top of his tail so there were two sides hanging down (he has a black tail so I wanted it to be clearly visable). I then put some black tape around the knot to make sure it wouldn't fall out. Like others have said, if you have a ribbon there, at least people can be warned and choose to stay away, so if your horse does get a bit 'keen' they've had fair warning.
Mind you, I did have one or two younger members asking why I had the ribbon in! :crazy:

 

[Weezy]

That sounds smart - I use tape LOL!!

 

[icemaiden113]

Definately green ribbon! Saves any complications.

 

[madgirl]

better safe than sorry!

 

[jayvee]

Yes go for wearing one. I use electrical tape bound round a couple of times. No fear of losing that.

 

[k9h]

Yes Green ribbon. I use to be grrom to the percy back in 99. Robert who is Huntsman now used to be Whipper-in back then! They are a nice lot you should have fun! Where is the meet off hand. Just realised that you will of been with them today! Did you have a good day??

 

[racingdemon]

Definatly, an amusing story though, i put a green ribbon in my horse on his first day this season as i didn't know what he'd do, we had a super day & he went like a dream....so much so that our hunt chairman was teasing me asking if i had a "green for go" ribbon in his tail (we'd just jumped an impressive hedge & 90% of the feild went round it!!

but more seriously, it gives others a good idea you have no idea what he'll do, so people 'should' be more considerate....saying that i'm sure plenty of people have no idea what it means!